Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Posterity

One of the things we did whilst in Utah was visit Joel's 92-year-old grandmother. Even though her health has rapidly declined in the months since we last saw her, she is still going strong for a woman her age. Still wants to look beautiful, even if putting her make-up on daily is very difficult. And she's still up and around as much as she can be. It's her eyesight that's keeping her from doing many of the things she wants to do.

I think it's so wonderful that my children have had a chance to know their great-grandparents. (Joel's grandfather passed away at age 92 a couple years ago.) I certainly never even came close to that opportunity. We stayed for about an hour, listened to some of the stories of her recent life, like how her doctor isn't LDS and she is trying to convert her, which I loved. She still has all her spunk, even if her body is tired.

Grammy has
3 children
21 grandchildren
36 great-grandchildren and one more on the way
6 great-great-grandchildren and one more on the way

(I think these numbers are correct, but I was counting out of my head...might have miscounted or missed somebody.)

I think it's amazing. And some of those great-great-grandchildren are older than my own kids. Can you imagine? Getting to know your great-great-grandmother in this life? (Maybe you can, or maybe you did!...but it boggles my mind!) It also blows me away that it is possible for me to have such a large posterity in such little time, even though I only have three children myself.

My grandmother is 96 and still kickin'! Love those pictures. And yes, it is wonderful to think of great-great grandchildren knowing their "ancestor" like that! It's like we're going back to the days of Adam and Methuselah! Well, maybe not that far back, but doesn't it seem like there were a few generations where folks died young-ish, and now they're living longer again?

She looks fabulous for her age and what a treat for your kids to get to spend some time with her. I knew my great grandmother but that's as far back as I could go, and I still have distinct memories of her.

What a beautiful lady. And what precious moments you must have had with her. My grandmother is pushing 90 and I can't imagine my life without her in it. I was the first grandchild... and I have had some very special moments growing up with her. My kids have a great grandmother in her, while, like you, I never knew mine. She is also a great-great grandmother which is amazing. What a wonderful posterity! I'm glad you got to visit with "grammy" while you were in Utah.

I love the elderly (quite possibly because I am often mistaken for the elderly myself). I have met some of the wisest and most wonderful individuals with beautiful life stories and insights who are discarded because they are not "physically attractive" or "fit" anymore. It is horrible what our generation is missing out on. That said, you are lucky and you are wise for recognizing the great opportunity. She is a very beautiful and blessed person as well with all that posterity.

I can't believe she's 92! She is so beautiful. She should be the role model for all the aged Hollyweird starts who think they must lift their faces so much that they become hideous and obscene, not lovely and natural like your Grammy.

What a lady ... I love that she's still going strong as a missionary! It's great your girls know her ... I had my great grandma in my life until I was 12 - she was an incredible lady and I'm so glad I knew her so well.

anyone with a grandparent or great grandparent should feel so blessed and grateful! I can see the love you have for her and even your children have much love for her as well. What fun memories they will have of her, make-up and all! YOU GO GRAMS! My grand daughter use to call my mother-in-law GG, for G reat G randma

Everybody on my dad's side had kids young, so I had a great-grandmother in my life, Evelyn O'Leary. She lived until I was 19, and I was very close to her. I feel so lucky to have had her in such a large part of my life.

What a treasure for the girls to have their great-grandmother in their life! So glad that even with such a distance between you now, that you're able to spend time with her.

Copyright Lara Neves 2005-2016

All photos and text on www.overstuffedlife.com are the sole property of Lara Neves and may not be reposted elsewhere.

However, I welcome linking back to this content. You may use one or two photos as long as you link back to the specific post on www.overstuffedlife.com. Please do not remove the watermark or alter the photos in any way.